WHEELY TIRED
ALMOST half of Irish motorists said they drove with less than five hours sleep while some even admitted nodding off while behind the wheel.
Some experts say driving while tired is as dangerous as taking alcohol.
The RED C research carried out on behalf of Liberty Insurance found 11% of drivers here begin their journeys deprived of sleep at least a couple of times a week.
And 3% of those bleary-eyed motorists claim to be doing it every day.
Lack of sleep remains an issue for drivers that are preparing for long journeys too.
The study found 52% of GAA fans drive on less than five hours’ sleep.
Deirdre Ashe of Liberty Insurance said: “It’s important supporters don’t let that excitement keep them up the night before so they’re well-rested en route to the finals.
“Getting a good night’s sleep is one of Driving while tired is very dangerous the most important things a driver can do.”
Other findings revealed 47% of drivers roll down the windows when tired while 45% will drink coffee to beat fatigue.
The survey also suggests people might be more likely to notice the negative effects of tired drivers in others rather than themselves. A total of 43% of those surveyed said they had travelled in a car driven by an unrested person.
The poll found 59% of respondents noticed “persistent yawning” 34% reported “slow reaction times” to hazards on the road, while a quarter of those asked said they had seen late braking.
On the other hand, respondents were much less likely to notice the negative effects of fatigued driving in themselves. The research also found when tired 88% of drivers use various coping strategies with only 14% letting someone else take over behind the wheel.
When asked about their own experiences when driving tired 39% said persistent yawning, 13% reported slow reaction times to hazards on the road and 10% noticed late braking. To avoid feeling tired on the road, drivers are urged to plan the route in advance and take note of rest areas for a break.
Break up the journey by having a coffee and stretching your legs. Motorists are also urged to avoid travelling alone on long-distance trips.
of tired drivers will drink coffee to combat the fatigue